Mentoring and Professional Development in Fisheries

For success one needs to have a variety of mentors who will listen and provide guidance as one

goes through the ups and downs that life brings. In order for such a relationship to develop both

the mentor and mentee must be willing to share freely of their concerns and insecurities as well

as celebrate one’s triumphs. Such intimate relationships are built on trust and understanding of

each other’s talents and desires. Mentoring is an intensive, interactive process and cannot be

done without true knowledge of each individual: who they are, what they are, why they are like

that, and how to best provide advice that fits them, whether it be on the professional or personal

side of their lives. Mentors and mentoring teams provide exhilarating environments that help one

to excel in life, providing each individual with encouragement, confidence, and courage that

leads to enhanced innovation, creativity, and fulfillment. Being a mentor is a great honor that

brings out the best in one, providing useful tools and needed security to successfully maneuver

through the rapids and waterfalls of life and in the end, catch the “big one”!